Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre in Namibia has been announced as the venue for the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit (AYTIS) and Challenge, to take place from May 31-June 2.

It is touted as the ‘one and only’ pan-African youth and start-ups in tourism Summit and Innovation Challenge in tourism on the continent.

The Challenge segment of the Summit is a competition that invites and welcomes innovative ideas and solutions from African youth that go beyond technology but are travel, tourism and MICE industry related projects.

Through the Summit and other media platforms, the top-five finalists of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge are introduced to industry leaders, mentors and potential funders and/or partnerships. The goal is to provide a transformative platform for African youth, start-ups, entrepreneurs, students and small enterprises for income generation and career development.         

This year’s Summit will include a desktop exhibition highlighting youth empowerment initiatives and SMEs’ trade offerings, including tour operators, tourism accommodation facilities, transport service providers, educational institutions, travel and marketing technology start-ups and incubators, employment agencies, professional development and more.

Approximately 250 in-person and over 1 600 virtual attendees, including Ministers, tourism officials, policymakers, key stakeholders, and more, are expected to attend the AYTIS and Challenge.

The fifth edition of the AYTIS and Challenge will be hosted by the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and Africa Tourism Partners, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization and accounting group, BDO.

Click here to register for the Summit, or click here to enter the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge.